Preparation and properties of Ce-doped Na–Gd phosphate glasses

Abstract Rare earth-doped sodium–gadolinium phosphate glasses with increased luminescence efficiency are promising materials for the detection of neutrons, γ- and X-rays. Their main advantages are low cost, high radioluminescence light output, high quality and chemical durability. The glasses were prepared by a rapid quenching technique in air. The radioluminescence intensity maximum was achieved for a Ce concentration of 3 mol % and that of Gd around 30%. Glass transition temperatures were above 300°C for the tested samples and this guarantees that the glass can be utilised in a sufficiently broad temperature range. The glass-forming ability of this glass system is high. However, until now high-quality glass has been only prepared with a Gd concentration of 40 mol % in the starting batch. The glasses containing at least 30 mol % Gd were moisture resistant, while those with lower Gd concentrations were slightly hygroscopic.